Courtesy/File photo of Nebraska State Patrol Armored vehicle & swat team
North Platte, Neb. — A nearly 3 hour standoff was resolved in North Platte with the arrest of a North Platte man and a woman. The incident began Wednesday at around 1:15 p.m. when officers spotted a vehicle with a male subject inside who was wanted on felony warrants. Officers observed a traffic violation and attempted a traffic stop near 2nd and Bryan. The vehicle failed to stop and continued down an alley.
With the vehicle still moving, a male passenger, identified as 30 year old Michael Charging Elk, jumped out of the vehicle and took off running, entering a residence in the 1400 block of Burlington Boulevard.
Officers tried to contact Charging Elk but were unsuccessful. Officers learned that the front door had been barricaded with a couch and that there were firearms inside the residence. It was also learned that 31 year old Amber Araujo was inside. Eventually the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team arrived and attempted to negotiate with the pair, but were unsuccessful at first.
An armored vehicle was used to break down the front door of the residence and negotiations continued. Around 4:38 p.m., Araujo and Charging Elk, both exited the residence and surrendered without further incident.
Charging Elk is facing three charges: Obstructing Police; Assault-2nd Degree & Weapons Charges. Araujo is facing a charge of Accessory to a Class 3A Felony for Harboring a Fugitive.
The subjects were jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center. The North Platte Police Department was assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the State Patrol SWAT Team.
